Have you committed a cover letter sin? A rapidly scribbled email, or worse—a cover letter with no personality?
Cover Letters: The Starting Block
Introduce Yourself. The cover letter places a human face on your candidacy. It paints a compelling picture of what you can do and what you hope to achieve for your next employer; it speaks of you as you are, reinforces your reputation and concludes with a call to action.
Cover letters set the scene. You can write to your dream employer seeking work. You can respond to an advertisement, approach old employers, friends, colleagues and customers to network for new opportunities, or you can write to follow up a potential lead. Cover letters explain why you are writing and request an opportunity to interview.
Forget Cliches: “Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to apply for the position of General Manager as advertised in the Daily Intruder on January 3rd.” This standard method has been taught in high school for eons and is used on just about all cover letters. Is your personal brand one of being a follower devoid of innovation, or are you unique?
Brief but powerful is the aim. A picture painted with words inspires that emotional must-have response in the reader. Forlorn, clichéd phrases simply don’t make the grade in today’s competitive world, where people with vision, creativity, originality and clarity are hotly pursued.
At Top Margin, we transform mundane to marvellous:
BEFORE:
Dear Sir/Madam:
I would like to apply for the position of Marketing Director advertised in “The Age” newspaper on June 3. To support my credentials, I herewith provide you with a copy of my resume where you will see examples of my excellent interpersonal and communication skills that are evident when you consider that I have worked closely with industry associations, top-level executives and boards of directors”.
AFTER:
Dear Hiring Manager:
As a senior marketing executive, strategic consultant, and right-hand advisor to CEOs, boards of directors and industry associations, I have the experience it takes to build revenues and grow a business through the identification and development of new opportunities.”
It's time to get it right. Do it now contact Gayle now!
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Meet multi-award winning resume writer and published author, Gayle Howard, Top Margin’s chief resume writer and founder. For almost 20 years, Gayle has been transforming the careers of thousands and setting resume writing trends that have impacted the way employers think.